Victoria in midst of social housing crisis

Victoria is in the midst of a low-cost housing crisis and is in dire need of new public housing, community groups say.

One in seven Victorians cannot afford the roof over their heads, with high rental costs and lack of job security exacerbating homelessness, according to the state's peak housing bodies.

The seven bodies have called for $200 million to be invested in social housing annually over 20 years.

Victorian Council of Social Service CEO Emma King said more than 33,000 Victorians are now on the public housing waiting list, with many forced to live in their cars or on the streets during the 10-month waiting period.

"We've seen a significant increase in housing prices in Victoria and we know that's putting considerable strain on people," Ms King said on Wednesday.

"People are losing their jobs and as a consequence are defaulting their mortgages and are being evicted from their homes."

Community Housing Federation of Victoria executive officer Leslie Dredge said the groups' affordable housing strategy would contribute 800 new homes a year, cutting a shortfall of 50,000 low-cost rental properties.